• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Mitten Girl
  • Cocktails
  • Mocktails
  • Food
  • My Book
  • Work with Me
    • Portfolio
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Cocktails
  • Mocktails
  • Food
  • My Book
  • Work with Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Cocktails
    • Mocktails
    • Food
    • My Book
    • Work with Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recent Posts » Life

    Building a Blogging Business: Third Quarter Goal Review 2022

    Published: Oct 6, 2022 · Updated: Oct 6, 2022 by Katy McAvoy

    I love when you share my recipes!

    • 42
    Goal Review: Third Quarter 2022

    When you’re the solopreneur of a creative business, you get to wear ALL the hats - CEO, writer, photographer, videographer, editor, graphic designer, social media expert, tech support, marketing guru, data analyst, accountant, (and on and on). 

    Jump to:
    • New to this Blogging Series? 
    • Menu Reveal and Tasting for SIP Coffee and Cocktails
    • More Homemade Happy Hour Partners
    • Upcoming Classes and Markets 
    • Growing Website Traffic
    • Totally Free Ways to Support my Small Business

    So how do you run a business and not get overwhelmed by all there is to do? 

    “Put one foot in front of the other and you’ll be amazed at where you end up.”

    - Henry Winkler

    Is it weird that I guide my life with a quote from the Fonz? Maybe. Is he right? Absolutely. 

    Each year I set goals for my business, and divide them up by quarters to determine what I need to do and when. Then I do a quarterly check in with myself to make sure I am meeting those goals, continuing to move my business forward. (Read more about how I do goal setting.) 

    Let’s see how things went during the third quarter (Q3) of July, August, and September 2022. 

    New to this Blogging Series? 

    Check out my updates for Q1 and Q2. 

    • Building a Blogging Business: First Quarter Goal Review 2022
    • Building a Blogging Business: Second Quarter Goal Review 2022

    Menu Reveal and Tasting for SIP Coffee and Cocktails

    In early July, the team at SIP Coffee and Cocktails revealed the cocktail and mocktail menu that I created for them to a group of friends and investors. We also had samples of five of the drinks available that night.

    It was so fun to see people enjoying the drinks and get immediate feedback from those in the room. I can’t wait for this cafe to open in Grand Rapids later this year!

    July Recipes 

    • Non-Alcoholic Mojito Mocktail is the Perfect Summer Drink
    • How to Make Watermelon Infused Vodka - DIY Liquor Infusions
    • Quick Blueberry French 75 Cocktail is Perfect for Summer
    • Easy and Delicious Sweet Cherry Lime Sparkling Mocktail
    • How to Make Homemade Sweet Cherry Simple Syrup

    More Homemade Happy Hour Partners

    Working with an online wholesale partner has helped me reach more retail stores outside of Michigan. Homemade Happy Hour is now available in 17 stores and 5 states! (See the full list of retail stores.)

    Homemade Happy Hour on display at Courage and Soar.

    I get a lot of questions about why I chose to print my book myself and not use an on-demand service, and these metrics are a big part of that why. 

    By taking and fulfilling all orders myself, I get to know exactly where my book is going and connect directly with customers. I’m gearing up for a big holiday season and can’t wait to send more copies of my book out into the world.

    Order Homemade Happy Hour

    Upcoming Classes and Markets 

    In keeping with my book sales goals, I have both an in person cocktail class and a holiday market show on the books for November this year. Being a vendor at a holiday gift market will be a first for me. (I’ve been a very good customer for a long time!) I’m excited to bring mocktail samples and talk to shoppers about my book! 

    More About My November Events

    August Recipes 

    • Peach Raspberry Vodka Martini is Full of Summer Flavor
    • Fresh and Easy Bruschetta Mozzarella Recipe for Summer Happy Hour
    • How to Make Ginger Syrup for Cocktails and Mocktails
    • Quick BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza on the Grill
    • Bright and Refreshing Pineapple Vodka Martini with Citrus 
    • Delicious And Hearty Vegetarian Nachos with Sweet Potatoes
    A pineapple wedge splashing down into a martini glass full of cocktail.
    Pineapple Vodka Martini with Citrus

    Growing Website Traffic

    The big overall goal focus for this year is my website. Growing it to a place where it can run quality ads that both make some money and pay for all of the costs that are involved in running a successful recipe website. 

    I had more visitors to the website during the past 3 months than I did for all of 2021. Year-to-date, I am up 160% over last year‘s overall traffic. 

    A line chart comparing 2021 Q3 to 2022 Q3.

    This is huge growth, but when you’re looking at statistics week after week like I am, it’s easy to not realize how much has actually happened. The majority of my time this year is being spent on my website - creating new content and updating the old - so a continued increase in visitors means my work is paying off. 

    The final quarter of the year - Q4 - is the busiest traffic time for food blogs. People are busy searching for new holiday recipes, their favorite Christmas cookie recipes, and new ways to entertain their guests for the holidays.  

    Most food bloggers see a large surge in website traffic during the final three months of the year. This year, I’ve got all my fingers and toes crossed that my Q4 website traffic will push me high enough to apply for an ad network. This is a B.A.G. (big audacious goal) that I’m so close to achieving, so send your friends to my site for some great holiday recipes.

    September Recipes 

    • Easy Citrus Apple Mocktail for Fall (Non Alcoholic)
    • How to Make Homemade Rosemary Simple Syrup
    • Easy Green Apple Martini for a Tart and Refreshing Fall Cocktail
    • Apple Old Fashioned is the Perfect Fall Cocktail 
    • Homemade Pumpkin Spice Simple Syrup for Coffee and Lattes
    Pumpkin spice syrup being poured into a mug of coffee and cream.
    Pumpkin Spice Syrup

    Totally Free Ways to Support my Small Business

    • Review my recipes! If you’ve made one of my recipes, please leave some stars and a quick review. Google prioritizes recipes with reviews, so leaving your thoughts is a huge help for me. Plus I love the feedback!
    • Sign up for my mailing list (and open the emails). Each week I send out a newsletter with a new recipe and seasonal recipe ideas. Join the list, then open each week’s newsletter and give it a read.
    • Follow along on social media. If you’re on Facebook, Instagram and/or Pinterest, follow me for lots of food photography and links to recipes.
    • Share! Share! Share! Whether it’s emailing a recipe to a friend or sharing one on social media, sharing what I’m doing with people you think would appreciate it is the most impactful way to support my business. 
    Please review my recipes on my website so Google shows them to more people!

    As always, I am ever grateful for you and all the people who visit my site, read my posts and make these recipes. That it’s possible for me to build a business around doing things I love remains mind blowing and something I do not take for granted. 

    Here’s to a great Q4 and a joyous holiday season.

    xo - Katy

    Life

    • Conversation heart candies falling into a coupe glass.
      Easy Cocktails for Valentine’s Day 
    • Super Bowl Snacks
      10 Easy-to-Make Super Bowl Snacks
    • A hand squeezing a lime over a cherry mocktail.
      10 Delicious Non-Alcoholic Drinks for Dry January 
    • Goal Review: Fourth Quarter and Year End 2022.
      Building A Blogging Business: Fourth Quarter and Year End Goal Review 2022

    I love when you share my recipes!

    • 42

    About Katy McAvoy

    Katy is the author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, and Michigander behind MittenGirl.com. Since 2017, she's been crafting easy-to-make cocktails and delicious meals, along with sharing her love of all things Michigan (a.k.a. The Mitten)!

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    Katy McAvoy

    Hi! I’m Katy (she/her). I’m an author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, Michigander, and lover of all things food and drink. I never turn down a good happy hour and believe that a couple hours of meal prep pays off for days. Follow me on Instagram to check out what I’m working on next!

    More about me →

    Search

    Buy Homemade Happy Hour, a Cocktail Book

    Weekly Newsletter

    Join my email list and get my 5 CLASSIC COCKTAILS EBOOK sent to you immediately!

    Subscribers receive a new and delicious recipe in their inbox each week.

    Most Searched Recipes

    • Tomato Rice and Beans
      Easy Tomato Rice and Beans on the Stove Top
    • Lavender Lemon Drop Martini
      Easy Lavender Lemon Drop Martini with Vodka
    • BBQ Meatballs in a bowl, garnished with parsley.
      Easy 15 Minute Stove Top BBQ Meatballs
    • Glass filled with mocktail drink and garnished with a cherry and orange slice.
      Easy and Delicious Mocktail for Kids (Without Sugary Soda)
    • Chocolate and Peanut Butter Whiskey Cocktail
      Delicious Chocolate and Peanut Butter Whiskey Cocktail
    • DIY Cocktail and Mocktail Bar
      How to Set Up a DIY Cocktail and Mocktail Bar Your Guest Will Love
    • Non Alcoholic Piña Colada Mocktails
      Non Alcoholic Piña Colada Mocktail (Not Blended)
    • Cranberry Mocktail
      Easy and Delicious Mocktail Recipes for Non-Alcoholic Cocktails
    • Non Alcoholic Mojito Mocktails
      Non-Alcoholic Mojito Mocktail is the Perfect Summer Drink
    • A Pineapple Mai Tai in a pineapple shaped glass.
      The Best Pineapple Mai Tai Rum Cocktail

    Footer

    Website

    Privacy Policy

    Disclaimer

    Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    Sign Up! for weekly emails

    Contact

    Work with Me

    Contact Me

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Mitten Girl LLC

    43 shares
    • 42